Your Experience Level

Imagine getting ready to sell your first home. You choose a real estate agent who arrives at your home on schedule. The agent sits down, pulls out a real estate listing contract and a pen, and says "Sign here!" How would you feel?

OK, then, let's say you've decided to sell your 18^th home in as many years. The sales agent of your choice sits down at your kitchen table complete with a laptop computer and listing presentation book, and proceeds to give you a very basic two-hour presentation on the procedures involved in selling a home. Now how do you feel?

One of the services you can expect from your sales agent is the ability to determine and understand your experience level in selling a home, and then to respond by presenting only that information you need for a rewarding, satisfying sales experience.

If the home you're selling is your first, the presentation may include information on the selling process employed by the agent's company, their advertising strategies, use of "For Sale" signs, and an explanation of contract forms which will be used. You may also receive information about closing procedures, sales expenses, and an analysis of the estimated sale price and terms which you can expect. Or, if you've sold many times before, you may only want a thorough explanation of present market conditions and pricing.

Choose your real estate agent with care, and you'll be on your way to a successful sale.

End Pocketbook Pain!

How important do you think it is to price your home correctly once you've decided to sell? Are you aware that overpricing can be painful to your pocketbook? Sure, it's simple – an overpriced home rarely sells.

Here are some of the best reasons for heeding the advice of your real estate professional regarding price. First, overpricing a home discourages buyers from even making an offer. They feel that even if the offer is accepted, they haven't gained anything more than a fair price.

Overpricing also attracts the wrong prospects. If you've priced your $450,000 home at $500,000, you'll be attracting buyers who expect to see $500,000 worth of home. When they don't, they'll be disappointed. And, you'll lose your desired advertising response, too, since the $450,000 buyers won't even call.

Another casualty of overpricing will be other real estate agents. Keep in mind that they know and understand pricing because of daily contact with sellers. Once they realize your home is overpriced, it may not be shown as much. Worse, it may be shown to help sell the competition (other houses like yours that are priced fairly.) Finally, if a buyer is located, the lender may reject the loan because of a low appraisal.

Price your home fairly from the beginning. You and your wallet will be glad you did!

What's That Sound? Earnest Money Talks!

Prospective buyers just left the home you have For Sale. They said they would pay full price which sounded great. But then they asked you to hold the house for them until next month. They didn't offer to give you a deposit to hold the home, either. Do you think you really have serious buyers? Would you be willing to hold the home, unsold, for a month for such buyers?

Chances are what you have are just some serious "lookers" or "shoppers," but probably not real buyers. Sincere, motivated buyers understand that in order to purchase a home it is necessary for them to give the sellers (or their real estate agent) an "earnest money" or "good faith" deposit. This is usually an amount that would assure the sellers that their property was indeed SOLD, and which would ensure final settlement on the home.

It is generally thought that the more money tendered by buyers as "earnest money," the more serious and committed they are to completing the purchase.

Real estate purchase agreements often call for the forfeiture of the deposit if the buyers do not complete the purchase. Thus, it follows that insincere buyers won't want to risk a penny, while real buyers will be very cooperative in making a substantial deposit.

Don't hesitate to ask your buyer for "earnest money." It's your assurance of a completed sale.

Lemonade for Sale – 10 Cents!

Have you ever watched neighborhood youngsters set up a lemonade stand in the heat of summer? They are sure their price of 50 cents per glass will bring droves of customers and high profits. As the morning wears on with few takers, prices begin to come down. By early afternoon, 10 cents will buy the same glass of cooler. The hot sun beats down and the lemonade is soon gone, along with dreams of great wealth.

The lemonade stand contains a message for home sellers, too. Price your home too high and people will look but not buy. Price it too low and you will be overrun by buyers thirsty for a bargain. What is the right price for your home? There is a time-proven method to determine that price.

First, call a REALTOR®! Selling your home is no lemonade stand situation, it is serious business. By securing the representation of a REALTOR®, you can expect to receive all the facts about sale prices before the "For Sale" sign goes up.

Because buyers compare homes before making a purchase, ask your REALTOR® for a detailed accounting of homes for sale now, the homes that are competing with yours for buyers. Next, ask to see the sale prices of similar homes which have sold recently. This will give you a good idea what buyers are willing to pay for homes like yours. You should also expect to be told what buyers are not willing to pay, as illustrated by the prices of homes which did not sell.

Pricing your home correctly form the beginning is the key to a successful sale at the best possible price. For complete details, select a REALTOR®, then enjoy the benefits…SOLD!

For a Comprehensive Market Analysis of your home, along with our unique Marketing Plan, call us today. We'll help you get the best price for your home.

Wholesale or Retail?

So…you're planning to sell your home. Will you be selling at wholesale or retail price? Yes, you heard right. There is such a thing as wholesale and retail in real estate.

But how will you be selling? Of course, there's no structured wholesale and retail price list, as such, but there is quite a variance between the two.

Most home sellers want to receive full "retail" price for their homes. That, of course, carries with it some responsibilities. Here's an explanation of what is required of a home in order to command a top price (retail.)

First, it must be priced at NO higher than the full fair market value. Second, the terms offered must be attractive to potential purchasers. Depend on your real estate agent for advice as to what terms you should offer. More liberal terms will attract more full-price offers.

Third be certain that your home shows like a model home. Do all repairs and fix-up before your home is shown for the first time. Everything about your home should say, "Welcome – Stay forever!"

Lastly, how will your home be marketed to prospective buyers? Your experienced real estate agent will be able to answer this important question, too. The right answer could be your assurance of receiving a top price for your home.